Supporters of Hinksey Sculling School had possibly the greatest cause to celebrate as they picked up their first ever National Schools regatta medal, at Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham, writes John Wiggins.

Hinksey's under 14 boys quad collected a bronze medal, to the delight of the director of coaching Tom Collins.

They come from a variety of non-rowing schools that are instructed by Collins and his team of coaches, based at the St Edward's School boathouse in Godstow.

Headington School were outstanding winners of the girls under 14 octuples as well as silver medallists in the new event for under 15 girls coxed fours.

City of Oxford held on for the silver medal in the closely fought under 14 girls double sculls.

However, the boys schools had to be content with bronze medals, Abingdon gaining theirs in the second octuple and Radley College in the first octuple.

The achievements of the youngsters were unfortunately eclipsed on the Saturday by the weather that turned the 2,000m purpose built lake into a venue better suited for surfing.

Four eights sank in the time trial for school 1st eights in the late morning.

Disaster was averted by the frantic efforts of the crews in safety launches though these were nervous times for the parents and supporters as successive racing craft bore down upon one stricken boat and its immersed crew.

Fortunately, no significant injuries were reported.

This race held no local crews as Abingdon, Radley and St Edward's were preparing to race in the opening round of championship eights.

This, however, was not to go ahead as racing for the day and Sunday was cancelled.

There was time to complete only eight of the scheduled 20 time-trial categories.

Of those, the best performance came from Simon Steel and Josh Yerrell of Wallingford RC.

Improving on Yerrell's bronze medal of last year, this combination took the championship double sculls gold by more than eight seconds.

Headington missed bronze by a fraction of a second in the under 15 quad sculls though it is their 1st VIII that will feel cheated by the weather as they were in a strong position to win the prestigious championship eights.

Some of the lost races will be contested on June at Dorney Lake on June 7, or in additional events at women's Henley on June 21.

Back in Oxford, the Isis was the scene for the traditional college rowing event, Summer Eights.

Oriel College was expected by many to re-take the headship, but it was Balliol who, having bumped twice to reach the top, bravely held off the Oriel challenge over the second half of the course on the Saturday. The top five places saw seven changes in the week and finished Balliol, Oriel, Christchurch, Magdalen and Pembroke.

The women's first division saw only five bumps affecting the top five places.

None of these touched the leading two crews as St Edmund Hall were unchallenged to retain the headship over Christ Church.

Osler Green, Wadham and Balliol finished next in the order.